Apparatus for controlling the shuttle of a weaving loom



May 20, 1969 A. MOESSiNGER APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE. SHUTTLE OF A WEAVING LOOM Sheet of 2' Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR Albert Moessl'nger BY ZZIM v May ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SHUTTLE OF A WEAVING LOOM Filed Oct. 22, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 FIGS INVENTOR ALBERT MOESSINGER ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,444,902 APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE SHUTTLE OF A WEAVING LOOM Albert Moessinger, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 500,810 Int. Cl. D0311 47/24, 47/00 US. Cl. 139-125 18 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a novel carrier means for a shuttle adapted to be used in a weaving machine for controlling the velocity of the shuttle passing through a weaving loom, which carrier means comprises a closed channel means, a shuttle member adapted to travel through said channel means and a series of shuttle drive means with carrier members extending into said channel means to control the speed of travel of said shuttle. The invention further encompasses a novel method of weaving, utilizing a continuously moving shuttle which is adapted to move at various speeds.

The present invention relates to a Weaving loom and more particularly to means for carrying a shuttle through a closed continuous path of travel formed by a circuit, and means for controlling the rate of speed of the shuttle as it passes along its continuous closed path.

It is well known in the weaving art wherein the weft thread is passed through a shed and travels in one direction therethrough and is returned from its path of travel through the shed back to its original point of entrance into the shed, that the shuttle will vary from its predetermined desired speed due to tension of the thread as it passes through the shed, and various other factors including friction, shocks and the like. i

It is an object of the present invention to control the travel of the shuttle through the loom and to compensate for these variations in the rate of speed of the shuttle.

In accordance with the present invention, the shuttle passes through or begins its initial passage through the weaving loom by following a semi-circular path around a carrier wheel, after which the shuttle thereafter passes through a substantially straight line or linear path of travel, at this time the shuttle passes through the shed of the loom, and thereafter the shuttle again passes through a semi-circular portion of the continuous path, and thereafter returns through a substantially straight line path of travel to the first mentioned semi-circular portion of the continuous path of travel.

In accordance with the present invention, the carrier means or system for the shuttle embodied in the present invention consists of a plurality of endless tapes or belts which will insure that the shuttle passes at the proper speed through its continuous closed path of travel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide carrier means which regulate and control the movement of the shuttle in the shuttle channel to the entrance of the shed of the loom so that the shuttle will pass through this point at a predetermined rate of speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier system for a shuttle so that it will pass out of the shed and its speed will be controlled, should it be varied for any reason as it passes through the shed, so that it will again be travelling at a predetermined rate of speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier system for the insertion of the web in the shed of a weaving machine by utilizing a shuttle circulating in a continuous motion or movement in a closed channel or path of travel that has individual control means dis- Ice posed along the path of travel which are synchronized with the movement of the weaving machine shed or slay so that the shuttle is moved along the path of travel at a predetermined speed or velocity.

It is another object of the present invention 'to provide carrier means for controlling the speed of the shuttle as it passes through the shed of a weaving loom which will increase the speed of the shuttle should it be going too slow, and conversely, decrease the speed of the shuttle should it be going too fast.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a carrier means or system for controlling the speed of a shuttle through a weaving loom, which control means consist of a plurality of individual endless bands or belt members on which are disposed fixed carriers in the form of projections or spurs which extend into the shuttle channel and control the movement of the shuttle as it passes therethrough.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a carrier means or system for the shuttle of a weaving loom in which independent endless carrier means are provided in which the pushing member of one of the systems enters the return channel after the shuttle passes it, while a retaining spur of another carrier means, moving slower than the first mentioned carrier means, enters the return channel before the passage of the shuttle, with the retaining spur leaving the channel when its distance from the pushing spur is equal to the distance between the points of contact of these spurs upon the shuttle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a means for controlling the movement of a shuttle through a continuous closed path by utilizing a series of belt carrier means provided with spurs or projecting members moving at various speeds and synchronized with the movement of the weaving machine, with the spur of the first belt carrier means extending in the channel after the passage of the shuttle, with the spur or projection means of the second 'belt carrying means entering the channel at the same time or after the spur or projection means of the first belt at this point or spot, and with the spur or projection means of the third belt carrier means entering at approximately the same time or after the passage of the spur or projection means of the second belt at this spot, with the third spur of the third belt carrying means having substantially the speed of the ejection of the shuttle in the shed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a series of belt carrying means for controlling the movement of a shuttle through a weaving loom so that the second belt carrying means has a slower speed than the third belt carrying means and also has a retaining member which enters the shuttle channel before the passage of the shuttle at this point and so positioned that when the shuttle leaves the channel, the retaining spur member of the third belt means is separated from it by only the length of the shuttle.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a weaving loom equipped with a weaving control mechanism or means embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail section taken along the line 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view illustrating the means for mounting the endless belt means to a pulley member of the shuttle carrying device.

FIGURE 5 is an end view of a weaving machine adapted for using the present invention.

FIGURES 1 and 5 represent a weaving machine, the gripper shuttle of which circulates without any stop in a closed circuit. In these figures the closed circuit is represented by 12. The shed is 13 in which the shuttles 44 and 45 lay down in succession the weft thread 2 drawn from the fixed packages 7 and fed across guide 6 by suitable means into shed 13.

The shed 13 is formed by the warp threads 11 and 5 brought together in the fell of the cloth 15 and by the reed 17 (FIGURES 1 and 5). The warp threads were driven according to the usual method of frames 19 actuated by cams 21 fixed on the shaft 89, the elbowed levers 23, the rods 25 and the springs 101. The shaft 89 is connected to the main shaft 67 through gears not represented in the figure. The warp threads 11 and 5 are drawn from a warp beam 27 by passing on a roller 29 and by the crossing rods 31 which separate the threads in a well known way. The manufactured cloth 15 passes on a driving roller 33 to let it be wound on the cloth beam 35. The need 17 is actuated by the levers 37 fixed on a shaft 39 swinging round its axis by the motion of a double lever 41 mounted at each one of its extremities and working on a double cam 43 involving to the reed the requested motion. The cams 43 are fixed on the main shaft 67 of the weaving machine; itself driven by an electrical motor not shown.

The shears located at each side of the shed are formed in one part by a knife 45 fixed on the fixed axis 47 and a pin 49 from another part by a movable knife 51 pivoting around the axis 47. When the thread is tightened into the cloth the leg of the reed or the slay on which it is fixed presses the boss 53 of the movable knife 51, closes the shears and cuts the thread coming out from the shed. When the reed comes back the shears are again opened by the spring 55 which is arranged between fixed part 57 and boss 53.

It will be noted that the endless closed path or circuit 12 is provided with two substantially straight or linear sections 14 and 16 disposed in lateral relationship with one another and extending parallel to each other. The opposite ends of the closed path consist of two semicircular portions 18 and 20.

The various sections of the closed circuit are characterized as follows:

Section 14.represents the shed area; the gripper shuttle thereon is picked and circulates in free motion pulling the weft thread; the moment of the picking and the picking speed is given by the pushing member 90. As explained later, the time and the speed of the shuttle at the gripper exit from the shed will be variable because of the variable frictions which it will have to overcome in crossing the shed.

Section 24.connects the shed area 14 and the semicircular portion the gripper shuttle moves thereon therethrough on free motion and releases the weft thread.

Section Z0.semi-circular channel wherein the pushing members 58 and 60 of a belt 54 enter and push the gripper shuttle being on their way.

Section 28.first part of the rectilinear channel of return of the gripper shuttle wherein the pushing members 58 or 60 of the belt 54 are pushing further the gripper shuttle.

Section 16.second part of the rectilinear channel of return wherein the retaining members 82, 84 and the pushing members 86, 88 of the belt 76 serve to locate said shuttle for proper timed entry into channels 18 and 30.

Section 30.third part of the rectilinear channel of return wherein in addition to the above mentioned members 82, 84, 86, 88 the pushing member 90 of the belt 66 serves to locate said shuttle for proper timed entry into channel 18.

Section 18.--semi-circular channel wherein the pushing member 90 circulates.

Section 25.-rectilinear channel tangent to the semicircular channel 18 and directed in the axis of the shed 14 and wherein the pushing member of the belt 66 also circulates.

In a general way the rectilinear channels are tangentially placed to the circular channels.

From the detail view of FIGURE 2, it will be seen that channel 20 formed by a three-sided substantially U-shaped frame 34 having an outer side 36 and opposite sides 39 and 40 so as to form a channel in which the shuttle member 44 can easily travel or move. A carrier wheel or pulley 46 is provided adjacent the semi-circular portion or section 20 and has an outer peripheral flange 48,as best seen in FIGURE 4, in which are disposed a plurality of spaced recesses 50 for receiving the teeth 52 of an endless belt 54 therein. The endless belt is carried adjacent its other end by small wheel or pulley 56 and the wheels may be rotated or driven by any suitable well known means not forming part of the invention such as an electric motor or the like.

The belt 54 is provided with two shuttle carrier members 58 and 60, respectively, as shown in FIGURE 1, which members are disposed equidistant from one another on the belt. The endless belt 54 is disposed adjacent the semi-circular section 20 and is extended in the channel 28 up to the pulley 56.

The portion of the continuous closed path adjacent semi-circular portion 18 is provided with a wheel or pulley 62 similar to the wheel 46 already described. Another endless belt 66, similar to the belt 54 already described, is carried by the wheel 62. The belt 66 drives the small wheels or pulleys 68 and 70 and has its inner end mounted on the small pulley or wheel 72 that is disposed adjacent the small wheel 56. The endless belt 66 is rotated or driven by any well-known suitable means. The endless belt 66 is provided with a carrier 90 for moving the shuttle. This carrier 90 passes beneath the closed path 12 from the pulley 72 up to the pulley 68 and thence passes around pulley 62, that is, the pulley system causes member 90 to pass through the sections 30, 18 and 25.

Another endless belt 76 similar in structure to the endless belt 54 already described, is mounted on two laterally spaced small wheels or pulleys 78 and 80, respectively. This endless belt is provided with two shuttle retaining carriers or members 82 and 84, respectively, which carrier members are disposed equidistant from one another on the belt. In addition, the endless belt 76 is provided with two shuttle pushing carriers 86 and 88, respectively, which are disposed equidistant from one another on the belt. The belt 76 moves in a counter clockwise direction as do the wheels 78 and 80, and the belt travels at a speed or velocity that is equal to one-half of the ejection speed of the shuttle into the section 14. The belt 76 has the same length as the belt 66. The apparatus, in addition to the shuttle 44, is provided with a second shuttle 45, as shown in FIGURE 1.

In the mentioned example of FIGURE 1 the relations between the speed and the links of the belts or better, the links between two driving members of same function is as follows:

Belt 66 Speed of the belt V=picking speed of the shuttle, Length-L 1 pushing member.

Belt 54 members run empty. In other words, at each cycle the carrier members are alternate.

Belt 76 Speed of the belt= /2 of V Length=L 2 pushing members and 2 retaining members distance between both pushing or both retaining members /2 of L.

Each pushing and retaining member works every two turns.

Referring to FIGURE 3, it will be noted that the belts 76 and 66 are identical in structure with the belt 54 and are provided with the usual teeth already described in connection with the belt 54. The channel 96 for the belt 76 is provided with opposite sides 98 and 100, and a bottom 102, while the channel 104 for the belt 66 is formed by a top member 106 and opposite sides 108 and 110. The channel for the shuttle 45 is formed by spaced top members 112 and 114 disposed below the sides 108 and 110, and spaced bottom members 116 and 118 disposed above the sides 98 and 100. It will be noted that the inner adjacent ends or edges of the members 112 and 114, and 116 and 118, extend inwardly of the opposite sides 108 and 110, and 98 and 100. The space between the plates 112 and 116 is provided with a side member 120, while the space between the plates 114 and 118 is provided with a similar side member 122.

When the shuttle 44 enters the shed 13, the shuttle 45 which has been introduced into the preceding warp shed, is positioned in channel 30, between the retaining carrier member 82 and the pushing carrier member 90. When the gripper shuttle 45 reaches the entry of the section 30 if it is much in advance it will abut against the retaining carriers 82. When it is delayed it will arrive before the pushing carrier 90; it will usually arrive between the retaining carrier 82 and the pushing carrier 90, both these carriers being set enough apart.

The retaining carrier 82 moves in the section 30 at a speed twice smaller than the pushing carrier 90. When the retaining carrier 82 arrives on the pulley 78 and the channel, the pushing carrier 90 has traveled toward carrier 82 no closer than approximately equal to the length of the shuttle. The shuttle 45 thus enters the channel 18 at a well determined time synchronized with the machine. In the channel 18 and 25 the shuttle will be driven at the same speed in the shed.

Therefore, whatever be the delay which the shuttle is subject to in the shed, it will be picked in a new shed at a well determined time and speed.

Between the exit of the shed 14 and the entry of the section 30 the shuttle is driven along with the carriermembers 58 or 60 of the belt 54. The shuttle 44 usually enters the channel 20 before the pushing member 58 under any minor slowing force experienced in the shed. If the shuttle would have to be still more delayed under the influence of any unforeseen event, any well known means would stop the machine.

The shuttle pushed into the semi-circular channel 20 and into the rectilinear channel 28 by the carrier member 58 will cross the channel 16 through its own speed to arrive befOre the carrier member 90 in the section 30.

Finally, when the carrier 58 on the belt 54 arrives upon the pulley 56, the pushing carrier 86 enters the channel 30 to push the shuttle 44 if it had slowed down for any reason. As soon as the pushing carrier 86 has passed by the pulley 72, the pusher carrier 90 of belt 66 enters the channel and carries the shuttle 44 therealong. Thus, the three belts of the present invention and the disposition of the carrier members thereon insure the proper speed of the shuttles at all times.

Inasmuch as it is apparent that variations may be made in the form, location, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and characteristics of the invention, it is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a loom control means for a shuttle that travels in continuous flight in a continuous closed circuit comprising a plurality of independent drive means each driven at various speeds to control the velocity of said shuttle as it passes through the shed of said loom in free flight.

2. A carrier means for controlling the speed of a shuttle in continuous flight to a predetermined velocity as it is passed through a shed area in a closed circuit loom comprising a closed channel means, a shuttle member adapted to travel through said channel means, and a series of shuttle drive means traveling at varying speed with carrier members extending into said channel means to control the speed of travel of said shuttle in the closed circuit.

3. In a loom, control means for controlling the speed of a shuttle in continuous motion and traveling in a closed continuous path formed by a closed continuous channel, a first shuttle drive means adjacent one end of said channel, a second shuttle drive means adjacent the other end of said channel, and a third drive means said drive means being driven at ditfering rates of speed disposed adjacent said first shuttle drive means.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said first drive means includes a large pulley member and at least three small pulley members having an endless belt mounted thereon with carrier means thereon extending into said channel.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said second drive means includes a large pulley member and a small pulley member with an endless drive belt mounted thereon with carrier means thereon extending into said channel.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said third drive means includes at least two laterally spaced pulley members carrying an endless drive belt with carrier means thereon extending into said channel.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein said carrier means are disposed on said belt equidistant from each other and said belt is driven at three-fourths of the speed of said first drive means belt.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said second drive means belt is one-half of the length of said first drive means belt.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said third drive means belt is driven at a speed equal to one-half the speed of said first drive means belt.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said carrier means on said third drive means belt consists of at least two pusher carrier members and two retainer carrier members disposed in alternate relationship on said belt.

11. A shuttle carying means for use with a weaving loom comprising a continuous channel means forming a closed path of travel for a shuttle having two parallel straight sections and two semi-circular sections disposed adjacent said straight sections, a first drive means including a large pulley and small pulleys with an endless belt thereon and a shuttle pusher member, said large pulley being disposed adjacent one semi-circular end and at least one small pulley being disposed within said belt and one small pulley outside said belt, said belt having a plurality of teeth for engaging said pulleys, said belt being disposed to extend a substantial distance along one of said straight sections, a second drive means consisting of a large and a small pulley with a second belt thereon with the large pulley disposed adjacent the opposite semi-circular section of the path of travel of the shuttle and the small pulley disposed adjacent said one straight section so' that said second belt extends toward said first belt, and a third drive means consisting of two small laterally spaced pulleys with a third belt thereon and disposed adjacent said first drive means but on one other side of the adjacent said one straight section.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein each drive means is driven at a different speed from the others, and all said belts have projecting members which extend into the endless channel and into the path of travel of a shuttle therein to push and retain said shuttle therealong at a predetermined speed.

13. In a loom, a shuttle carrying system guiding a gripper shuttle from its exit of a shed up to its entry into a succeeding shed comprising an endless channel forming a shuttle travel path, a plurality of endless carrier drive means for moving said shuttle along said path, one carrier drive means having a pushing member which enters a return portion of said channel after the shuttle has entered therein, another carrier drive means having a retaining member which enters said return portion of said channel before the passage of said shuttle into said return portion said another driving means moving at a slower speed than said one drive means, and said retainer member positioned a on said another drive means and adapted to move out of said return portion when its distance from said pushing member is substantially equal to the shuttle length.

14. A carrier means for a weaving machine for controlling the velocity of a gripper shuttle circulating without any stop in a closed circuit, a part of which is constituted by the shed through which the gripper shuttle is picked in free flight while and drawing the Weft thread from a package outside the shed and comprising a driving means formed by a continuously rotating endless belt fitted with carrier means thereon entering and moving into the return channel of this circuit at the picking speed of the shuttle in the shed, and in synchronism with the weaving machine so that the gripper shuttle is picked into the shed at a pre-determined speed and at a pre-determined time.

15. A method for controlling a pick of each gripper shuttle in a weaving machine, in which the gripper shuttle is circulating without any stop in a closed circuit and is in free flight in a part of this circuit and is in driven motion in the other part, said method comprising two continuously rotating shuttle driving means with carrier members extending into said circuit and synchronously driven with said machine but at different relative speeds, so that as the gripper shuttle moves in the circuit between said two carrier members of these tWo driving means its driving means constituted by an endless belt having a pushing member, adapted to propel the shuttle in free flight, entering this circuit at the picking speed of the gripper shuttle through a shed and synchronously driven with the weaving machine and a second driving means constituted by an endless belt having a retarding member entering this circuit ahead of the pushing member of the first shuttle driving means and moving more slowly than said first driving means.

17. A carrier means of claim 16 wherein the belt of the first driving means has only one pushing member, the belt of the second driving means has two retaining members, a length equal to the one of the first driving means and a speed twice smaller than said first driving means, the belt of a third driving means having two pushing members, a length equal to one half of the one of the first driving means and a speed equal to three-equaters of the speed of this first driving means.

18. A shuttle carrying means for use with a weaving machine comprising a continuous channel means forming a closed path of travel for a shuttle having two parallel straight sections and two semi-circular sections disposed adjacent said straight sections, the first drive means including a large pulley and small pulleys with an endless belt thereon and a shuttle pusher member, said larger pulley being disposed adjacent one semi-circular end, said belt having a plurality of teeth for engaging said pulleys, said pulley being disposed to extend a substantial distance along one of said straight sections, a second drive means consisting of a large and a small belt with a second pulley thereon with the large pulley disposed adjacent the opposite semi-circular section of the path of travel of the shuttle and the small pulley disposed adjacent said one straight section so that said second belt extends towards said first belt, and a third drive means consisting of all small laterally spaced pulleys with a third belt thereon disposed adjacent and along a straight section of said first drive means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,630,839 3/1953 Britwell 139l26 3,263,705 8/1966 Rossmann l39l2 3,263,707 8/1966 Kubelka 139122 HENRY S. JAUDON, Primary Examiner. 

